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Wipeout Returns June 22 on ABC, More Updates; Spike TV Orders 2nd Season of Comedy

ABC will launch the third season of the hilarious summer hit obstacle course series Wipeout on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 8pm ET/PT, right after the NBA Finals are over on Tuesdays this summer. The series has an 18 episode order this season, so there will be a few times it could air back-to-back possibly since it is launching in late June, as it usually ends in early-mid September. Last season the series started in late May and aired on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Now it returns to Tuesdays, where it aired in its first season. The series will have an all-new obstacle course this season as well that is top secret. There will be some themed episodes as well this season that will include "Ladies Night," "Family Edition" and "Wipeout Blind Date." The series again is hosted by John Anderson and John Henson and sideline host Jill Wagner.
There is no word what will follow Wipeout yet on the Tuesday night summer schedule, but ABC could opt to air the second season of Shaq Vs. for 6 weeks, as they have ordered a second season. After that, I would assume Wipeout would air for two-hours each week from 8-10pm. In other ABC summer news, The Bachelorette will launch on Monday, May 24 from 9-11pm after Dancing with the Stars' performance finale. Then it will move to 8-10pm on Mondays starting the following week, Monday, May 31. And at 10pm the second season of reality series True Beauty from Ashton Kutcher and Tyra Banks will return. Among the other reality series ABC has available this summer are The Bachelor Pad, Dating in the Dark, Let's Dance, Secret Millionaire and Ice Dancing with the Stars from the producers of Dancing with the Stars (this format has done well in the UK where it is called Strictly Ice Dancing) has a 6 episode order (but it might not be ready by summer, so maybe December?). ABC also has scripted options in Copper and possibly a few others such as Scoundrels and The Gates. But more on those at a later date.
Moving on to the current regular season, ABC has scheduled two clip shows for its returning dramas from hiatus. FLASHFORWARD: What Did You See? will recap the first ten episodes of FLASHFORWARD in a way both new viewers and current fans will enjoy. The clip show will air Tuesday, March 16 after LOST at 10pm and the series returns with all-new episodes on Thursdays, starting March 18 at 8pm. Similarly, ABC has just announced it will do the same for V, doing a clip show after LOST. The V clip show will recap the first four episodes in a way new viewers and current fans will enjoy. This one airs a week later on Tuesday, March 23 at 10pm and the series returns with all-new episodes airing Tuesdays at 10pm the following week (March 30). Watch these two shows when they return and if you haven't watched yet, catch up with the recap episodes in time for their returns!

Spike TV has picked up a second season of 13 episodes of its first original scripted comedy series, Blue Mountain State. Produced by Varsity Pictures' Brian Robbins and Sharla Sumpter-Bridgett and Lionsgate, Blue Mountain State launched in January and has averaged nearly 1 million viewers, improving the timeslot in the key demographics of Men 18-24 by 165% and Men 18-34 by 86% (through six episodes).
Blue Mountain State follows the on and off-field antics of incoming freshmen as they learn to adapt to life at the fictional college football powerhouse, Blue Mountain State. Former NFL running back and veteran actor, Ed Marinaro (Hill Street Blues), stars as the coach. Alex, played by Emmy Award-winner Darin Brooks (Blue Crush) is a talented quarterback, content to be second-string and ride the bench while partying with his best friend Sammy, played by Romanski (The Sarah Silverman Program). The cast also includes Thad, played by Alan Ritchson (Smallville), the team's over-the-top team captain and Denise played by Gabrielle Dennis (The Game).
Brian Robbins and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett are executive producers of the single-camera comedy. Series star Romanski, along with Eric Falconer (The Sarah Silverman Program, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia) also serve as executive producers and writers.
As for the first season, the season is still currently in the middle of its season. The first season will end on Tuesday, March 30 at 10pm. It is stil unclear when the second season will launch, but at least we know there will be a second season!